Bankside, a design-forward hotel opening in October 2018 on the South Bank of the River Thames announces a Makers in Residence programme in partnership with the Contemporary Collective. Reflecting the hotel’s commitment to the creative area in which it resides, this permanent space offers emerging artists the opportunity to showcase and create work just a stone’s throw from the Tate Modern.

Contemporary Collective, who will manage and curate the space, are an emerging online gallery founded in 2006 by Elinor Olisa and Isobel Beauchamp with a mission to champion the careers of emerging and newly established artists internationally, allowing collectors' insider access into the most promising talent that exists today. Located on the ground floor of the hotel with direct access onto a communal courtyard space, the makers hub will be a dynamic new addition to the vibrant Bankside art scene.

Elinor and Isobel comment: “We are incredibly excited about this collaboration with Bankside. Nowadays it is very difficult for emerging artists to secure a creative space in central London. Often makers studios are in their homes or on the outskirts of the city which means the consumer only ever has the chance to see the finished product and we believe the journey to achieving the result is a work of art in itself. Through this partnership our talented and diverse creators have the valuable opportunity to work in one of the most sought-after creative areas in London and in exchange we hope the guests and visitors at Bankside are inspired by what they see and experience.”

The first Makers in Residence will be Stoff Studios, a design duo consisting of Carys Briggs, a textile designer who trained at both the Royal College of Art and Central St Martins, and Andrew Mason, a furniture maker who studied sculpture at Camberwell College.

The pair use traditional methods to create refined, intimate collections of textiles and furniture. They take a humble approach to their practice, drawing inspiration from the materials that they work with. Often concentrating on either a single piece or a small batch of works they produce objects with a tactile nature, designed to work together in the home to create plains of colour and texture.

The fabric pieces are inspired by gestural mark making and monoprinting techniques and their soft lines are reflected in the fluid, sculptural forms of their furniture. Carys and Andrew aim to produce truly collaborative collections, utilising two fields of knowledge to create a more studied, detailed response to their initial inspirations, taking account of how their finished pieces, and the materials they are made from, exist within a wider context.

Bankside guests and visitors are invited to have a unique chance to see both Carys and Andrew in action and enjoy the journey of seeing their work progress over time. Select pieces will also be available for purchase. A schedule of rotating makers, a series of talks, previews and events throughout the year will offer guests new experiences with each visit.

Interior designer, Dayna Lee of Powerstrip Studios has also commissioned five pieces of work by Helen Goa, a portrait artist represented by Contemporary Collective, which further illustrates Bankside’s support of emerging artists.

Bankside has been thoughtfully designed to deliver an airy-residential feel where lines are blurred between work and play, with social spaces providing inspirational gallery-style environments. The first-floor library, a fun space for reading, co-working or socialising, spills out onto an outdoor deck for cocktails. Sustainability is at the heart of Bankside, beehives are planned for the roof, and the guest rooms will all come with power-saving attributes. Furniture and fittings are made from sustainably-sourced wood, waste food will be recycled as biofuel and non or low-VOC paints will be used throughout. A partnership with Bouteco (a consultancy specialising in hotel sustainability) signals the project’s commitment to doing more than just saving water and electricity, whilst the hotel is working to forge connections with local businesses and ethical social enterprises in SE1.